Rea backs race to find BBC Sport NI’s ‘Unsung Hero’

Jonathan Rea, the leader of the World Superbike Championship, is urging people to get involved in the race to find this year’s BBC Get Inspired Unsung Hero for Northern Ireland.

The Ballyclare rider is the 2015 Ambassador for BBC Sport NI’s search to find this year’s local winner of the award. The Unsung Hero award honours individuals from the world of grassroots sport and recognises those who, on a voluntary basis, go the extra mile contributing to sport in their local community.

The Northern Ireland winner will be one of 15 regional winners from across the UK. The overall winner will be announced during the BBC Sports Personality of The Year Awards which will be held in Belfast in December.

Rea, who is on the brink of securing the World Superbike Championship, recognises his own Unsung Hero for helping him during his career.

“For me it’s my father, Jonny Rea, because he doesn’t get the credit he deserves for my career to date,” said the 28-year-old. “The amount of man hours going in to getting me to this doesn’t start when I suddenly arrive on TV, it started when I was three years old, prepping my motocross bike every weekend.

“I think without the sacrifice he’s had to make with both my younger brothers and sisters, my mother, I wouldn’t be in this position without all that voluntary and heartfelt support.”

Nominations for this year’s awards are now open and can be made by visiting bbc.co.uk/getinspired. Or call 08000 680 949 to request a nomination form be posted to you.

The closing date for applications is 23:59 BST on Thursday, October 22.

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